I hear people say we should raise the stakes in Afghanistan. Or we need to raise the stakes in the War on Drugs. But you rarely hear talk of raising the stakes in the war on poverty. Why is that? If we are going to “raise the stakes,” we should do so for jobs, women’s rights, the environment, health care, financial reform and schools.
Drug cartels exploit illegal immigrants by forcing them into economic bondage or prostitution. “Drugs are only sold once,” Rep. Loretta Sanchez, the chairwoman of the House Homeland Security border subcommittee, said in an interview. “But people can be sold over and over. And they use these people over and over until they are too broken to be used anymore.”
Quotation from Josh Meyer, Drug cartels raise the stakes on human smuggling
(The Los Angeles Times)
Absolutely spot on
Excellent Sera, you should run as a politician, if Canada can vote, you have mine! love love your blog!
I am concerned because I think saying to “raise the stakes” is a cop-out. It’s like “I disagree with the situation, but I am not going to suggest anything that might even point toward a solution.”
In other words, I don’t think it’s good poker to raise before you ante up.
A statement well made, politicians the world over like catch phrases and big words, sadly there output isnt at the same level
We just watched a movie the other night about this, Seraphine, so my mind is bursting over the travesty. How can it be stopped?? WILL it be stopped. Sigh. What can we do?
Completely agree Sera! The quote is so moving!!
You are so brilliant. How did you get so brilliant?
I see you don’t waste your time even seating on teh potty. :=) or is it the place, where you like to think of global issues?
aaaaah, we live in a great world
nice post
Well there’s a simple answer why. The government is quite happy with the way things are going. They couldn’t give two shytes about the poor or what big business does to the environment or schools. You are way easier to control if you are stupid and poor. As to health care, its a pipe dream to have universal health care that is good for everyone. Sorry to say it but it is. All these advocates for health care for everyone never do the math. There is not enough money for something like that. It sounds wonderful but the reality is any universal health care will end up being poor quality. And those same advocates will say “just look at Canada”, well yes lets look at that system. The wait for critical surgeries is typically longer than most can wait for them. If you have basic needs from the system it works fine but if you are truly sick you better pray you somehow get damn lucky or you will surely die. Yes sign me up for that.
I couldn’t agree more with you. Politicians drive me crazy. Some actually have really good ideas but for some reason, they are not implemented. Politics are above all a media circus, statement and press release. Trust me. I know…
I love the merry-go-round.
Excellent strip again. You always manage to infuse humor with more serious things. It’s awesome.
You know, I’ve come to realize that I will never, ever understand how politics work. Or how politicians think. If they really give it an effort, they can make AMAZING changes.
I tried to raise a steak once but then I fell in love with her big brown eyes.
the top picture is just beautiful… my parents were part of the NDP party back when i was young, and they once, or one of them did, overheard a conversation between bigwigs about wanting 60% of people on welfare, so my parents left the party, but maybe stuff like that is why there’s no war on poverty, because the govt WANTS the poor…
i love asparagus, but i heard it makes your pee funny, but i’ve never noticed this phenomenon
maybe it’s like an allergy, like until the cup is full there are no symptoms, then suddenly OVERFLOW and you itch and smells bother you… but maybe you’re a mutant anyway?
or a pathetic fallacy, an inanimate object trying to come to life in your pee
Well said!! And what a nostalgic image of that merry-go-round!!!
What shocks me is that political stalemates are so unfortunate, given that there are solutions that are mutually beneficial to everyone, regardless of political persuasion. I was just briefed about a company in Europe that offers solutions to decontaminate drinking water while creating jobs! A great post, Sera!
Great point! Well said!
Woooow ,beautiful…
Great post
Here! Here! When will we take a chance and pour billions into early childhood, the green economy, housing for everyone, food for everyone?
That was one seriously disturbing story… Anyway, I’m digging the carousel and the comic.